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Merry, Merry Everything Good!
Rev. Katie's Animas View
I've always been a fan of Christmas, the many secular bits as well as the more religious parts. In my house, we've not only got the originally Victorian inspired Christmas tree with its roots in American Unitarian history, but a menorah that will be lit for Hanukkah (beginning the night of December 6), and more than one cultural style of nativity crèche.
Traditional holidays with their ancient roots are bound to have morphed and reformed over the years, and it seems that Christmas is the king of this practice. Each person I talk with has her own belief system about its importance or relevance, each person has his own practices; each family has their own ways of finding comfort and meaning in the holiday, including ignoring it altogether.
In recent years I have looked for new ways to find my own December meanings, instilling more time for spiritual practice rather than consumer to-do lists, making sure I send gentle thoughts and prayers honoring family rather than particular expectations. For I know I am not alone in noting the differences and various experiences of grief that have come upon us over the years. Creating and honoring holiday traditions is a value to me, yet I'm careful not to let expectations of what "should" be get in the way. Illness and emergencies are just as apt to happen in December as they are any other time of year-none of us can make every event.
Regardless of what happens this year, I will appreciate Christmas. Not for the shopping opportunity, although I love Noel Night, or the holiday foodstuffs, even though cranberries are my favorite, nor for the possibility of that special gift, even though I love to give them, but for the places where I still may find discovery in something merry and good. And that might be in the warmth of nature brought indoors, of any tradition honored or renewed, of lights kindled, of love expressed.
May you find avenues for your joy: in religious practice, in spiritual or secular activity, in the bounty of human comfort or in a small piece of silence. May you have everything merry and good.
Love,
Rev. Katie
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December Sunday Services
December theme: "Jubilate!"
Translated from the Latin as "Joy!," here's a word that is not always present in a month where it is supposed to be. The darkest days are upon us, and sources of light are present in many religious themes. Judaism (Hanukkah), Neo-Pagan (Solstice/Yule) and Christian (Advent and Christmas) traditions light candles and consider waiting, re-birth, and miracles.
Words to consider: Waiting, wonder, darkness
December 6
The Art of Waiting -Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris
Do we pay attention to Advent and its attendant request to wait? Here is a time to focus on spiritual practice rather than the hustle and bustle of consumerism or the cultural expectation of instant gratification.
December 13
Our Christmas Story -Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris and Lisa McCorry
Join in the fun and spontaneity of all ages in this service where we will create a holiday pageant on the spot. Are you and angel, a mouse or a wise one? Is there room for us in this Christmas story?
December 20
Hope on the Longest Night -Members of CUUPS
Come be a part of the Pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice as we greet the return of the sun. The Covenant of UU Pagans will take the lead today.
December 24
Christmas Eve On this Silent Night -Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris and Lisa McCorry:
TWO SERVICES at 5pm and 7pm
Come at either 5 or 7pm for stories, lessons, carol singing and a message for hope for this dark and quiet evening where something special is happening. Families of all ages and compositions are welcome at either service. Childcare will be provided.
December 27
This is My Story -Member pulpit guests
Let's finish the year by hearing more stories from our members. How have you come to your spiritual understanding? How did you find yourself here in this fellowship?
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President's Message
Teresa Jordan
Deep Chair Conversation was one of the ideas introduced to the Board of Trustees in September when we consulted with the Rev. Pallas Stanford. You know the type of conversation that can develop when everyone is relaxed in a comfortable, overstuffed chair with a hot cup of coffee or tea with no particular agenda and a couple of hours to discuss in depth whatever is on your mind? Well, the board is trying to do just that by getting together at one of our homes each month to explore ideas together.
One of our topics for continued conversion is
The Almost Church Revitalized: Envisioning the Future of Unitarian Universalism by Michael Durall. It is a very provocative book suggested by Rev. Katie for our board to read. We are finding it rich with many suggestions that prompt our imaginations in visioning the future of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango (UUFD).
The first question Durall asks us to explore: Is ours a public or private church? That is, are we more focused on an inner search for truth or spirituality, or reaching out to create a more just and humane world? A public church dedicates 10-29 percent of its budget to "outreach" or "social action." A private, inwardly focused church uses its budget for maintenance with a principal concern for members who are already there.
So what type of congregation do we have at UUFD? Take a look at the annual budget that we approved at our last congregational meeting in May. The answer to that question lies in those numbers. Let me or any of the board members know what you conclude. Members of the Board of Trustees include:
- Teresa Jordan, President
- Tom McCampbell, Vice President
- Donna Nelson, Secretary
- Graham Smith, Treasurer
- Jim Dahlberg, Assistant Treasurer
- Susan Koonce, Member At-Large
I am reminded of Rev. Nancy Bowen's warning to UUFD at our Ministerial Start-Up Meeting just after Rev. Katie arrived in August 2014. Nancy Bowen, Executive of the Mountain-Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, suggested that we needed to prepare for the growth that we should expect after hiring our first-ever minister.
Have you noticed the sanctuary chairs around you filling up with new people? Rev. Bowen was correct in her prediction, and so the board has ordered ten more chairs to seat our newcomers. Thank you for contributing to the chair fundraiser and helping provide a seat in the sanctuary for our future members and guests.
To conclude, I wish you a very happy holiday season. Remember to take some time to focus on what is significant for you during this special time of the year.
Peace,
Teresa Jordan, BOT President
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News from the Social Responsibility and Justice program
Our Fellowship continues its ethic of generosity in our monthly Share-the-Plate offerings. We recently received a thank you from the Community Emergency Assistance Coalition that demonstrates the difference this organization makes in the lives of families in need.
Dear Unitarian Fellowship,
As Thanksgiving draws near I wanted to thank you for your support of CEAC. This far in 2015 we have helped 158 families with rent, car repairs or other emergencies. We have counseled 254 families with budgeting and housing resources through the CEAC program. Our program has provided over $108,000 this year to keep people stable. The donations from your collection plate have helped people to remain in their home through the holiday season.
Warmly,
Bridget Korce
Program Manager
December will be the last month this year of donating our STP collection to CEAC. On January 10, 2016 (this month only, we are having our Share-the-Plate on the second Sunday so that we avoid the conflict of holidays) the new recipient of our donations will be the Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center, which supports LGBTQ youth ages 13-17. A safe, supportive, and educational place for youths, their allies, and families to meet has been a need for a long time in Durango. The Center just opened this Fall and our contributions will help them in their work to reach and support local youth.
The UUFD Social Justice Awareness Committee would love to have you join us in supporting the new 4C Rainbow Youth Center. 4CRYC is inviting the following donations:
- To help make the center more welcoming: plants, artwork, a loveseat and a vacuum.
- To support healthy activities for the youth who gather once a week at the center: art supplies, school supplies, and gift cards for local grocery stores (so staff can buy healthy food to try to fill the bottomless pit of teenage appetites ;-)
- To help support LGBTQ youth who attend the center and are homeless or semi-homeless: backpacks with school supplies, basic toiletries and non-perishables like ramen and macaroni and cheese.
- 4CRYC is also looking for volunteers to assist with fundraising and grant writing!
- For additional information or help in getting these items to the center, please feel free to chat with Anna Royer after a Sunday service or contact her at annabroyer@gmail.com, or visit the 4CRYC website for further information and staff contact info: http://www.rainbowyouthcenter.org/
Finally, we heard from Manna Soup Kitchen that many of their clients could really use some good pairs of warm socks! As you are doing your holiday shopping, if you could pick up a pair or two of new socks, for men or women or children, it would go a long ways to helping others be more comfortable in the cold weather. Just bring your socks to church and we will collect them in a box in Bowman Hall through December 20 and deliver them to Manna to give to their clients during that week. Thank you for your help!
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| Fun on the UUFD playground |
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Don't take a seat - GIVE one!
Everyone deserves a comfy place to sit.
 Help provide a seat for our growing congregation. Additional chairs for the sanctuary are on order, and you can help purchase one. Each chair costs $150, but donations of any amount are appreciated. Please, note "chairs" on the memo line of your check, and drop it into the collection plate, or mail it to UUFD, 419 San Juan Dr., Durango, CO 81301.
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Why did you choose UUFD? Please tell us!
Testimonials needed for new UUFD website
On our new-and-improved website, we will be featuring testimonials from UUFD members sharing why they chose UUFD as their spiritual home. These testimonials will be a critical part of the way we greet the public - these days, most people considering a new church visit their website long before visiting their building. We want visitors to see our members' faces and hear their individual stories as way of warmly inviting them to join us.
Would you be willing to share your story? If so, please draft a statement less than 400 words long and send it to Shanan Orndorff at shananyo@gmail.com. If your statement is used, we'll also request a photo of you to include.
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Faith Formation News
Religious Education has a new name!
"Love is our most unifying and empowering common spiritual denominator. The more we ignore its potential to bring greater balance and deeper meaning to human existence, the more likely we are to continue to define history as one long inglorious record of man's inhumanity to man."
Let love be our guide. Our faith calls us to respond with love. Our faith challenges us to honor the inherent worth and dignity of EVERY human being. Our work is to let the light of the soul flow through us and guide us. Our UU faith communities offer all people a place of love and belonging. Strengthened by beloved community, may we respond in faith.
Faith Formation Comes to UUFD
Our Religious Education program and director titles have changed! The Board of Trustees approved a proposal from the director, with support from Rev. Katie, to shift from
Religious Education to
Faith Formation.
We're still providing lifespan programming in accordance with our mission.
Faith Formation broadens our scope to include people of all beliefs and non believers as well. It encompasses our UU identity, values and broad spiritual practice while reminding us that programs are not only for children and youth. Our work is multigenerational. I look forward to continuing on this faith journey with you.
WANTED: ITEMS FOR THE UUFD HOLIDAY MARKET
The Holiday Market, a long tradition at UUFD, is a store where kids shop, at no cost, for gifts for loved ones. Please drop off any gently used items or wrapping stuff in the large classroom on or before
Dec. 6th.
Upcoming Holiday Events at UUFD
December 6:
Holiday Market: Children and youth of all ages shop for holiday gifts for loved ones at no cost. Wrapping center included.
December 13:
Our Christmas Story: Gather in community for this fantastic multigenerational worship. Parts for all children (and children at heart). No rehearsal.
December 13:
Tree Decorating: Following the children's winter program, all are welcome to join us for cookies and cocoa while decorating our holiday tree.
December 21:
Solstice: Celebrate the turn of the season, light and darkness.
December 24:
Christmas Eve Worship:
5 PM & 7 PM, childcare provided.
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CUUPS Corner
Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
"The Solstice is a time of quietude, of firelight, and dreaming, when seeds germinate in the cold earth, and the cold notes of church bells mingle with the chimes of icicles. Rivers are stilled and the land lies waiting beneath a coverlet of snow. We watch the cold sunlight and the bright stars, maybe go for walks in the quiet land. . . . All around us the season seems to reach a standstill - a point of repose." -Spiritualityandpractice.com
Please join CUUPS as we celebrate the Winter Solstice on
Saturday December 19th at 6:30 pm in Bowman Hall. We will have a seasonal ritual and potluck afterwards. We look forward to seeing you there. For information please contact Linda at
ayrspirit@yahoo.com.
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Pause for Poetry
The Poetry Circle welcomes guests for reading personal poems and favorites over light refreshments. Next session is
December 14
, 6-8 pm, Bowman Hall.
Ethical Dilemma
Gray, furry little mouse
You ate what's not intended.
So I lured you to a trap last night.
Life is not open-ended
That I could freely do that act
I find I'm not believing.
For, if my problem is in the past
Why then am I still grieving?
Mouse and man should take great care
To not disturb each other's lair;
An imperative born from comprehending
That every life comes with an ending
-- Ralph Blanchard
(My first lessons in "reverence for all life" came as a child from parents, who spoke of the amazing life of Albert Schweitzer. It was explained that Dr. Schweitzer entered medicine and went to an underserved area of Africa as a medical practitioner, having left a promising musical career. "Reverence for life" was a key aspect of this Nobel laureate's personal philosophy: no one must harm or destroy life unless absolutely necessary. Practicing reverence for life, I believe, furthers the ongoing if gradual civilizing process of mankind. -Ralph Blanchard)
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